Before, you were driven—motivated by the thrill of chasing success and working tirelessly to achieve it. Now, standing at the peak of your accomplishments, you can’t help but miss the version of yourself who thrived on ambition and purpose. Sound familiar? That unfulfilled feeling is the sense of emptiness that often follows success—a common yet unsettling experience. No one would want to feel this for a long period of time.
How does demotivation happen? Get to know how your brain works
Our brain is naturally wired for survival, and it is natural for it to seek the next challenge or reward to stay engaged and motivated. When we achieve a goal, the initial rush of dopamine in our brain’s reward chemical—subsists, leaving us feeling unfulfilled or empty. This is part of how the brain works: it constantly craves purpose and progress to keep us moving forward.
What Should You Start Doing?
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, a self-help book by Deepak Chopra, specifically mentioned the Law of Least Effort. This principle helps the brain to make the “do less and accomplish more” happen, just like what the brain has been wired naturally. Doing this practice will help train your brain to function more effectively, reduce unnecessary effort, and ultimately prevent demotivation.
1. Acceptance: Acknowledging and Embracing Reality
After achieving success, demotivation can often come from unmet expectations or a sense of emptiness. To move forward, start by acknowledging this emptiness without judging yourself for feeling it. Accept your current situation as it is, even if it’s not what you expected. Remind yourself that this moment is exactly as it’s meant to be.
Instead of focusing on what’s missing, shift your attention to the present. By doing this, you can cultivate a sense of peace and gratitude, which are the key steps in practicing acceptance. Reflect on your journey and accomplishments, but avoid tying your happiness solely to those achievements. When happiness depends on external milestones, it becomes harder to embrace your current reality.
Meditation can also help you stay grounded in the present moment, reminding you that life is an ongoing process, not defined by a single success or milestone. This mindset helps you build lasting contentment and clarity.
2. Responsibility: Reframing Challenges as Growth Opportunities
When challenges like demotivation come, never blame anyone, not even yourself, and that is what true responsibility means. According to the book, having responsibility means one is able to respond creatively to tackle the current challenges.
How can you do this? Start by viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and new paths to explore. Think of it as leveling up. When your brain sees challenges this way, it naturally takes steps toward improvement. This is because your brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical, which boosts motivation and helps you take positive action.
3. Defenselessness: Staying Open and Flexible
After achieving success, clinging too tightly to expectations about “what’s next” can leave you stuck in a cycle of frustration or comparison. If this cycle continues, more time will be wasted in order for you to reach your next success.
Practicing defenselessness means staying open to new opportunities and perspectives. This way, your next chapter unfolds naturally without resistance. Some paths can look unfamiliar and terrifying, but only if you focus on that area.
However, if you are curious about what is going to happen next, you are able to explore new things and are able to be open even if it can feel difficult. To remain open, stop making your past success your identity and instead view it as a stepping stone for growth and new experiences.
Conclusions
Feeling demotivated after achieving success is something many people experience. It’s important to understand that this feeling is normal and can be addressed. By accepting your current feelings, viewing challenges as chances to grow, and staying open to new possibilities, you can boost your motivation again. Remember, success isn’t just a finish line but an ongoing journey filled with opportunities to learn and grow.
